Real estate agents help you find and negotiate property deals, but they can’t provide legal advice or handle legal documents. A real estate attorney reviews contracts from a legal perspective, identifies clauses that could harm your interests, and ensures all legal requirements are met. Agents focus on the business side of the transaction – pricing, market conditions, property features. Attorneys focus on legal protection – contract terms, title issues, regulatory compliance. You need both professionals working together, but only an attorney can protect you from legal problems that could cost thousands later.